The Music and the Noise

[mary_j_59]

Or, struggling to get noticed! I'm not sure I have any answers here, but sometimes submitting queries, etc, can seem like throwing stones down a very deep well and waiting for the echo. Or, even more, it can feel like you're jumping up and down, a toddler among a whole room full of toddlers, waving your arms and shrieking, "Look at me! Look at me! Look at MEEEE!"

But, honestly, is that what's happening? I certainly hope not. Yes, there is a lot of noise out there, and yes, we are adding to it. But that's not all we're doing. We need to remember we are also offering the world something beautiful: the stories and poems and essays we've written. Maybe no one is looking at those gifts just yet. Maybe a few people are.

And here's the thing: When we're asking for attention, don't we really want those gifts to be noticed? It's not about us; it's about the work. Rather than imagine you're in a noisy crowd, all yelling at the top of their lungs, and trying to out-shout them, why not imagine that you're doing something beautiful? Maybe a dance competition, for example. The music is loud, and there are lots of couples out there, and some of them are quite definitely better than you. Don't worry about that. Just keep dancing. Dance just as beautifully as you can, and enjoy it! You're giving your art to the world. For someone out there, it will be exactly what they need to see.

Good luck, and keep on writing!

Comments

[l.c. mcgehee (from livejournal.com)]

This is a lovely sentiment. Thanks for sharing! :)

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Thank you!